Children’s books are important. Any parent, teacher, librarian, children’s book author, and child can vouch for the role good literature plays in creating lifelong readers and shaping young lives.
The exhibit The ABC of It: Why Children’s Books Matter at the 42nd St. & Fifth Ave. branch allows one to see how children’s books evolved from traditional primers to fully illustrated, multi-cultural tales, from Bible-based stories to Harry Potter. And it supplied a cool respite from the heat on a July day.
Goodnight Moon
The original inspiration for Winnie the Pooh
cyclingrandma 
I love children’s books – especially what is available now. They are wonderful engines to childrens’ imaginations, never mind literacy.
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I love them!
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I love kids’ books. Loved them as a child, and enjoyed the library experience. My daughter-in-law takes the kids to reading groups in the library and other such programs. I always marvel how children’s book authors take an ordinary dilemma and slice of life for a child and weave an adorable story around it – in such an imaginative way. I think children’s books are just as much fun (if not more) for adults! Great post.
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Thanks– it really was also a lovely celebration of NY authors and book heros like Lyle the Crocodile, etc.
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I have ALWAYS loved Winnie the Pooh!
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I didn’t realize there were real stuffed animals the stories were based on.
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I saw a documentary on it once. Also Winnie was a relative or something….
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oh I guess it was a real live bear! Same difference haha
http://www.just-pooh.com/history.html
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Just walked by on my recent trip to New York. Wishing I could have stopped in. My daughter’s nickname to this day is pooh bear from our favorite “Winnie the Pooh”! I look forward to the day I can read children’s books to my grandchildren! I love children’s literature.
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Yes, it’s lots of fun becoming reaquainted with former favorite books and discovering new ones.
On Thu, Jul 11, 2013 at 1:15 PM, cyclingrandma
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Some of my favourite memories of my daughter’s childhoods are centred around reading together.
Oh — and btw — I loved your mother’s post!
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Thanks– she’s having a fun time with blogging. And yes, I remember so many books the kids loved and we still quote!
On Fri, Jul 12, 2013 at 8:55 AM, cyclingrandma
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I always loved books when I was growing up, and still read all the time. But it make me sad that my son (10 1/2), with a host of neurological differences, finds reading to be almost torture. He hates to have to read. And even with the world’s most awesome tutor, I can see that it’s going to be a long road for him. Right now, I’ve got him 2 Hank Zipzer books (by Henry Winkler, who has dyslexia) that I hope he will become interested in. Although, it seems that no matter what the story or adventure, the interest just isn’t there yet. One day…
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Perhaps in time he’ll find something that will spark his interest. Have you tried an Ipad for reading, etc. They seem to be working wonders with kids with learning disabilities.
On Fri, Jul 12, 2013 at 8:22 PM, cyclingrandma
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Thanks, we have tried an iPad. It doesn’t make his reading experience any more pleasant. We’ll keep at it.
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Good luck, thinking of you. Keep trying different books, interactive, etc.
On Sat, Jul 13, 2013 at 5:42 PM, cyclingrandma
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Goodnight Moon… *sigh*
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So cute.
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My husband courted me by reading his favorite children’s books to me. I think it’s no coincidence that he went on to become a librarian and I became a storyteller. Great post!
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I love that image— how endearing.
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